German connections

Neil, I think you could have help with your family history by looking on Rootschat.com if you have not done so, especially for the German part of your family. It is a free site with a Forum like this one and there are those who specialise in 'foreign' ancestors including Germany. I have a similar but different problem in that a gt-gt-grandfather, a weaver came over from Dublin with his first wife to settle in Coventry. They lived in West Orchard and must have been poor. She died of Asiatic Cholera in Coventry in 1849. He remarried in St. Michael's - his wife Sarah Pickard seems to have had a house in Hill St, so they moved up a notch. Irish ancestry was almost insurmountable when I began my research 50 years ago, but now so much more is on-line it is a huge help but just the same hitches and glitches if you have Irish in your family. Best of luck with your research. I'd be interested in how you progress!

Neil, if you google Coventry German Circle you will find their website.

Here is a link I had from my German friend in Northern Germany of the 2016 Frauenkirchegottesdienst (New Year's Day Service). It shows how wonderful the rebuilt Church really is and of course includes the Coventry Cross of Nails on the Altar of the Frauenkirche. It starts with perhaps two minutes of introduction before the Frauenkirche comes into view so please continue to the 'Start' proper. Thank you Midland Red for alerting me to it. Also for best viewing of the video recording click on Vollbild (Full Screen) at the bottom of the screen to see Frauenkirche in all its glory!

Johnnie Walker, 1954 and I was travelling back from Italy, I came through Switzerland by train landing in Mulhouse, I asked a gendarme where the nearest hotel was. He insisted on showing me, wheeling his 'bike' as I was carrying little luggage, I think he misunderstood me, he took me to a monastery, I was welcomed inside, and shown a dormitory. By that time I was intrigued, here most of the beds where occupied by French youth brought in to rebuild war-damaged buildings, but there was a German guy who spoke good English. Less than ten years after war's end we were a little wary, but after a while it turned out he had been German Airborne, and I English Airborne, so we had a lot in common to talk about. Talk went on and then he said he had lost a lot of his family in Dresden, with a little resentment in his voice. I said I was from Coventry, he stared at me for a second and then hugged me. We travelled back to Paris together.

Kaga, I found your story and experience very moving and makes me proud to think we Coventrians have been at the forefront of renewing links with the now 'not so new' Germany.

I also found your post very moving Freeman and as I mentioned in reply to Kaga. I too was born in 1938 in Stoke, we Coventrians were encouraged (certainly at the Junior Tech where I went) to improve relations with the defeated Germany and I have had many happy holidays in that country and made friends too.

Prof, not quite the topic but, My brother in law was wounded at 'Monte Cassino' the wounded were taken to a large cave in the mountains, here he was treated by the Germans, the Brits then pushed forward and the Brits treated him, along with scores of other wounded, the battle raged around them, the Germans advanced and he was once again treated by the Germans, a few hours later and the Brits were back, the next advance by the Germans and the Brit medical team stayed and worked with the Germans, so the battle flowed back and forth for several days, but the British and German medical staff worked as one team through it all as one hospital unit. When he finally came home he had no idea who performed his surgery, but had praise for both German and British alike.

Another very telling story Kaga and one that should be known.